Sound-amplifier.



J.` C. ENGLISH.

I SOUND AMPLIFIER. APPLIGATIONTILED MAY 29, 1909.

1,071,610, Patented Aug.26,1913.

3 SHEBTB-SHEET l.

#wf/vra@ J. G. ENGLISH.

SOUND AMPLIFIER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1909.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

INVENTOR Ja/i/z CL?? /JWM WVSES i ATTORNEY J. C. ENGLISH.

SOUND AMPLIFIER.

PPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1909.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNES'SES ATTORNEY tinguished from each other, andv zo UNITED STATES PATENT oEEicE.

JOHN C. ENGLISH, OF

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO VICTOR TALKING MACHINE COMPANY, .A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SOUND-AMPLIFIER.

Speoication of Letters Patent.

Original application filed February 20, 19100, Serial No. 479,105. Divided and this application led May 29,

1909. Serial Ho. 499,079.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, vJOHN C. ENGLISH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city ofCamden, county of Camden, and' State of New Jersey, haveinvented -certain new and useful Improvements in Sound-Amplifiers, of which the. following is a specification, thisapplication being a division of an earlier application filed by me February 20, 1909, and Aupon which were granted, on February 6, 1912, United States Letters Patent No. 1,016,255.

It is generally understood that sounds or tones differ,vnot only in pitch, which is high or low according to the number of vibrations per second in the sound, but also in quality or timber, which is the property b v which sounds of the same pitch may be disl which makes the differences between the same note as played on different instruments, or as produced by different voices. These differ; ences in thequality or timber 'of tones are generally attributed to thefact that each single note produced is in general a compound note consisting. of a fundamentalA tone which gives the prevailing characteristie' pitch to the'note, an'd also with a .number of higher tones known as over-tones or harmonics,' or relatively. mall intensity, and of-higher `pitch` than t e fundamental tone, and that these over-tones or` harmonics, varying in number and intensity, according to the source of the note, blend with the fundamental tone and the resulting compound effect gives the peculiar quality or timber to each note. In the reproduction and amplification-of sounds, it is therefore obviously desirable that the various tOnes and over-tones composing the sounds should be faithfully reproduced# o One of the o jects of this. invention is to provide an amplifier or resonator particuarly adapted for use withnsound reproducing machines,'which will res ond sympathetically and faithfullyto al of the various tones and over-tones and vibrations which make u the Great variety, of sounds usuallyircpro uced by s'uch machines and to augment the volume of sound delivered Ato said amplifier.

Further obects of this invention are, to

provide an amplifier vwhich will direct -and,

diffuse` sound waves substantially'uniformally through a predetermined space to in- 'crease the field in which a good reproducJ tion. may be heard; to provide an amplifier having a relatively large sounding board surface; to provide an amplifier of simple and compact construction; and to provide other improvements as will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanyingr drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of an amplifier constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 an end elevation of the same; Fig. 3 a longitudinal central sec.- tional view taken transversely with respect to the soundingboards; Figs. 4 and 5 side and end elevations respectively, of a modified form of this invention; and Figs. and 7 are side and end elevations respectively of a second modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of this invention comprises a hollow rigid gooseneck bracket-l having atubnlar portion, the longitudinal axis of which is substantially inthe form of a compound curve, extending wholly in the axial plane of the bracket. The opening 2 which extends axially through the bracket, is substantially circular in cross section, and gradually increases in diameter from the outer end of the bracket inwardly. The bracket -l is rovided adjacent its outer end 3, with an o 'long transverse plate 1, integral therewith and having a flat outer surface 5, for holding the bracket against a flat support.

The outer end 3 of the tubular portion ofthe bracket is open and extends slightly outwardly from the flat surface of 'the plate 4. Between the plate 4 at the outer end) of the bracket, and the tubular portion of Patented Aw. 26,1 913.

the bracket are substantially flat webs (i and 7, arranged in the axial plane of the bracket and centrallybf the plate 4. 'Ihe plate 4 isr'ovided with holes 8 to receive olts or ot er attachin means whereby the bracket may, be secure in a fixed position. The lower end of the bracket 1 terminates in a substantially flat base-10, preferably arranged in a plane substantially perpendicw lar to the lon itudinal axis of the bracket at this end. his base 10 is integral with the bracket and is braced by means of webs ,11 and 12, between the base and the tubular portion of the bracket, and is provided witlr a centrally arranged rectanvnlar opening,r 13, communicatinv with the interior of the bracket, the circular walls of which gradually slope to meet the 'rectangular walls of` the opening.

Secured to the base l0 of the bracket l is an oblong substantially rigid support 15,

preferably made of wood, forming the back i of the amplifier. Thissupport is substantially rectangular in transverse section, and

I preferably substantially' curved longitudividd with a bossA 16, havinga fiat outer surface which lits against -the fiat surface of the base 10 of the bracket, and is ri dly secured to` the bracket by means of sc ews 17, tting through aperturesprovided there-A for inthe base 10 of the bracket', and threaded into the bossl ofv the support. vThe support -15l is also connectedl to the bracket l by `means of screws 20, which extend. through oppositely disposed lugs '21, integral with the bracket, thelugs resting 1n recesses provided therefor in the support Abetween one end of the supportiand its een-A -tral portion. lhe support 1s provided with A v a centrally arran edsubstantially rectangularaperture 22,` w ich registers lwith the corresponding opening 1l,-.1n.tlieadjacent end of` the bracket, and forms. thel inlet of the amplifier. The opposite ends `or arms of the support diverge outwardly from the base 'lO .of the bracket, and each voff-'these arms may be oblong and may diverge outwardly in Width, nd thelongitudinal axis of each Aarm'v 'p eferably in the axial'l plane of the "bracket.

Secured topeach side of thelcurved supn port 215, and projectingforwardly thereresonant sounding from is a substantially semi-circular flat board 25,- the inner edge 26 of which is sha ed to conform to theI external convex surigace of the support, and theeouter edge 27 of which 'is a substantially straight line between thevouterends of the support. Each of these boards tapers-'in thickness from itsJ inner or convex edge outwardly, and is secured in position by means of screws 28, orv othervsuitable fastening devices ;extendin through the board and into the support of each board, adjacent and parallel tothe flat base of the bracket,to further holdfthe boards in place, each cleat t *had in pfsitionby means of suitable fasten' devices-lfextendingthrough the cleatyandadjacent sounding board and into the support.- The space between the outer atraightedges 'of these soundin boards andthe ends'- ofthe ila mouth otthef a21'np1ifer,`

support forms t Y for on the interior surface `through the bracket and and is oblong in shape, the straight edges of the sounding -boards being longer than the transverse edges of the ends of the support.

The space between the external sounding boards l25, may be divided by means of a plurality of internal sounding boards B5, which are substantially similar in form to the external boards heretofore described, and the inner edges of which may be secured in longitudinal grooves 36, provided therei of the support l5. The central portion of the-inner edge of each of these internal boards is preferably tapered inwardly asat 37 to vform sharp e es 38, extending across the opening22, leading from the bracket. The remaining portion of each internal sounding board is tapered outwardly in thickness.

The construction is preferabl such that the external and internal-soun ing boards diverge or radiate outwardly, but g0Odresults may be obtained, however, when the boards are all arranged in parallel planes and also when each board is of uniform thickness.

Wax or other suitable` fastening and sealing means may be used in the joints between each sounding board and the support, and between the support and the bracket, and the external surfacesof each part of the device maybe given a suitable treatment and tinishj- A The modified form of the invention shown A in Figs. 4 and 5, and the modified form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, are similaningcgnstructionto' the form just described, except that the support 15 of the amplieris curved differently as 'previously described. Alug 40 may be provided upon the bracket ,hav ing a threaded aperture 4l for the reception of a bolt for securing the bracket to a sup` ort. p In the operation of this device, thebracket l is connected to a talking machine to-communieate with the usual sound reproducing means, and the sound waves are conducted into -the space between -the sounding boards, causing the sounding boards to vibrate in Y with the sound waves, thus ampli I effect of the waves. vAs each sounding board tapers in width, it presents transverse portions of every .length between the substantially infinitesimal length corresponding to 'the narrowe'st portion of 'the board and the lengthof its broadest portion, which istle length of the straiglitllne forming-its outer edge.` Furthermbrejf'owingto the tapering mpathy' I ing the board, the longer Vtransboards spaced comparatively close together,

and by havingr the mouth of the amplifier oblong as described, a relatively large area of sounding board surface in proportion to the cubic space occupied by the amplifier, is provided; and the form and construction of the sounding board, the support, and the gooseneckare such as to provide a simple and compact amplifier in which the curved back, or support, will act as a defleetor'to diffuse the sound wavesv through a predetermined space.

Although only three of the various forms in which this invention may be embodied have been illustrated, the invention .is not limited to these particular constructions, as various changes might be made in the con. -structions shown Without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope vof the appended claims. i

Ilaving thus fully described'this invention, I claim and desire protect by Letters .Patent of the United States: f

l. A sound amplifier'comprisinga sounding-board tapering opppsitely inthickness to its ends.

2. A sound amplifier comprising a substantially flat sounding-board-'tapering from a region of maximum thickness to its opposite ends.

3. A sound amplifier comprising a sound'- ing-board taperin' from a region of maximum thickness adjacent to one ond, to its respectively opposite ends.

4. A sound amplifier'comprising a sounding-board having :ndge curved in a plane with said boardz an 'diminishing in thickness from said curv edge, substantially in the direction of the axis' of said amplifier.

5. A sound amplifier comprising a substantially segment-.shaped sounding-board diminishing in thickness away from its curved edge, substantially in the direction of the axis of said amplifier.

6. A sound amplifier comprising a sup` port having a concave inner face and a sounding board secured to said support projecting from the inner face thereof and tapering in thickness from said face, substantially in the direction of the axis of 'saidr amplifier.

T. A sound amplifier mmprising a support having a concave inner face, and a sounding board secured to each side of'said support und projecting forwardly and tapering in thickness from said face, substantially in the direction of the axis of said amplifier. I

S. A sound amplifier comprising a support having a substantially concave inner surface, a pair of sounding boards secured one on each side of said support and pro-A jecting forwardly from said face, and a sounding board between said pair of sounding boards. Y

9. A sound amplifiercomprisinga support having a substantially concave curved inner face provided with a. groove, a pair of sounding boards, secured one on each side of said support, and projecting forwardly from said face, and a sounding board between said pair .ofsounding boards and secured to said support in Said groove.

10. A sound amplifier comprising a support having a substantially concave inner face, a pair of sounding boards secured, one on each side of said support and projecting forwardly from said face, and a sounding board between said pair of sounding boards, said sounding boards each tapering in thickness away from said support, substantially in the direction of the axis of said amplifier.

11. A sound amplifier comprisinga supvport having a substantially concave inner face, a pair of sounding boardssecurfed, one

on each side of said'support and projecting forwardly from said face and a sounding board between said pair of sounding boards and secured to said support, said sounding boards each tapering in thickness away from said support, substantially intliedirectionl of the axis of said; am lifier.

12. A sound a pli encompising a sul stantially semi-cy indriform support and a plane sounding board secured to said sp port and tapering in thickness and incr :asing in Width away ronaid support, substantially in the directio'of the. axis 'of said amplifier.

13. A sound amplifier comprising ahollowsupport, and sound amplifyingmeans carried ther-'m and communicating therewith, said amplifier being rigidly connected to one end of and to an intermediate .portionof said support.

14. A sound/amplifier comprisinglspaced soundin communlcating with thespace-between .said boards, said amplifier being rigidly.. oonnected 5to one end' of audio. anv intermediate portion of said gooseneck.

15. A port provided with an aperture, a pair of spaced sounding boards carried vby said supportand a hollow gooseneck secured to said support and communicating through said aperture therein'with the space between said boards, said amplifier being rigidly connected. -to one end of and to an intermediate portion of said gooseneck.

16. A sound amplifier comprising ampliboards, and a hollow goosenecksound amplifier comprising a sup-A I through said aperture..

ing in thickness away from said. sharpened 17. A sound amplifier .comprising ahollow gocseneck and soundl amplifying means rigidly secured toone. end and to an intermediate portion of said gooseneck and cornmunicating therewith. i

18. A sound amplifier comprisinga sounding board hav-ng a portion of one edge sharpened to d vide sound waves and taper' portion.

19. A sound amplifier comprising a sounding board having one edge curved 'from end to end and having astraightV edge connecting the ends of the curved edge, said board hein held fixed at its curved edge and being ree at its straight edge, and tapering in thickness from its curved edge toward its straight edge.

20. A sound amplifier comprising a pair of forwardly d iverging symmetrically curved arms Yanda soundingboard extendin between said arms and securedthereto,

aand soundingboard tapering forwardly in thickness, and curvedly increasing in width. 21. Asound amplifierv comprising an oblong symmetrically curved support widening toward its ends and a Sounding board securedupon each side of said support, and tagging forwardly .in thickness.

Anamplifier for sound waves cornprising'a substantially semi-cylindrical hollow`body having diverging sides tapering forwardly in thickness, .and curvedly increasing in'width. |23. A soundamplifier comprising Va body portion having opposite walls curved longi.

tudinally and symmetrically, lthe axis of symmetry being substantially 'coincident with the longitudinal axis of the said body portion of 'the amplifier, and the bodyportion being entirely open between said curved walls, and fiat walls connecting'said curved walls to forma lsound conduit.

24. A sound amplifier comprising a body portion having opposite substantially rigid walls curved longitudinally and symmetricall the axis of symmetry being substantialy coincident with the longitudinalY axis of said body portion,a ld the l dy portion being entirely open between .aid curved walls, and sounding boards connecting said urved walls to form therewith a'sound conuit. '-f

portion having opposite walls curved longi tudinally and symmetrically with their in ner faces concave, the axis of symmetry being substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of said body portion, and the. body portion being' entirely open between said curved walls, and fiat walls connecting said curved walls to form therewith a sound conduit.

26. A sound amplifier comprising a s'upport having a symmetrical concave inner face, said support having an' inlet aperture about midway betweenits ends, and fiat walls on each side of said support formingv in conjunction'therew'ith' a sound conduit en tirely open between the sides ofsaid support and from said inlet aperture to its mouth.

27.- A sound amplifier comprising a hol:

' lo`w body portion provided with 'an inlet and an outlet and forming. a straight passage for sound between said inlet land said outlet,

said 'body portion comprising opposite walls\ diverging rapidly away. from said inlet toward said outlet, said walls decreasing. indivergence as hey"approach said outlet, and said body por ion also `comprising substantially fiat walls connecting said first mentioned walls. L

28. A soun amplifier \comprising a hollow body porti n provided with mi inlet and an outlet and vforming a straight passage for Sound between said inlet and said' o11\t`let,l

said body portion comprising opposite'walls diverging rapidly away "fromj said inlet toward said outlet, said walls decreasing ,in diver ence as\theyV approach said outlet, and said ody portion also comprising spaced sounding boards connecting' said `wall`s, said body portion being substantially rectangw. lar in trahswerse sectiom 29. A 'sound amplifier-`comprising a support having flat sounding boards on-opposite sides thereofproviding a relatively shal= low chamber having'an inlet andan outlet, said chamber beingoblongin transversesection andv having vits major transverse axis relatively greatas compared with `its minor transverse axis throughout' the major por'- tionof'the length of said chamber, and pro- ,viding a Vstraight passage from said' inlet to said outlet, the extreme major transverse axis of said chamber beingrelatively great gse compared with the lengthfof said chamr.v n witness whereoffI-have hereunto set my hand this 27th day'of May'A.' D., 1909..

. JOHN C." ENGLISH.. Witnesses:

EDWARD KARcHnnMAcE-WA'N,

25. A sound amplifier comprising a. .body

FRANK Banaan Mwartsrox, Jr

Copies of Vthis patent may be obtained lfor nve cents nach, bylddtsring the ommtsnsr 'ot Patents;

Washington. D. 0.

BEST AVAILABLE COP`.

lt is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,071,610, granted August 26, ,1913, upon the application of Jolm C. English, of Camden, New Jersey, for an improvement in "Sound-Amplifiers, errors Aappear in the vprinted specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, lines 17, 23, and 37, for the word timber read 'mZr/'f page 4, name of. second-mentioned witness, for Frank Barclay Middlleton, J r. read Frank Ldm'clag/ Middleton, Jr.; and tht the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same rnay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of October, A. D., 1913.

{SEAL} R. T. FRAZIER,

Acting C'mnmasoner of Patente.

Corrections in Letters Patent No. 1,071,610. 

